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Guidelines for Provision of Anaesthetic Services 2019

The Royal College of Anaesthetists is pleased to announce that the Guidelines for Provision of Anaesthetic Services 2019 (GPAS) have now been published. This is the first time that all chapters have been updated using our NICE accredited development process. NICE accreditation gives additional credibility to GPAS, providing independent assurance that the guidelines are robust and evidence based.

First published in 1994, GPAS is designed for anaesthetists with managerial responsibilities to set recommendations which inform how anaesthetic departments are run. Not only does GPAS shape the standards used by the Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA) scheme, but national regulators also recognise them.

Dr Jeremy Langton GPAS Editor said: “I am delighted that all GPAS chapters have now been reviewed in line with the NICE accredited process. Recognition by an external and nationally recognised body such as NICE increases the authority of GPAS and allows for a wider application of its guidelines – all of which work ultimately to help keep patients safe.”

The College is always looking for ways to continually improve GPAS. In line with the College strategy on perioperative medicine and the establishment of the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC), in partnership with the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, GPs, Physicians and Nursing - GPAS work has begun on a new chapter for the perioperative care of elective and urgent care patients.

We are currently recruiting for authors to work on this chapter. More information about this opportunity can be found here